Fuse setting machine



' May 5, 1931.

H. SCHULER ET AL 1,803,775

FUSE SETTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 19:29

lye/"77263271 Ja/u/Zer w B/ A Gdefmaznn Patented May 5, 1931 UNITE, srras PAT r. rFicE I HERMANN SGI-IULEB, AND ANTQN GIETMANN, or n ssELDoaE, GERMANY, ASSIGNORS TO RHEINISCHE METALLWAAREN UND MAsonINENEABRiK, or nUssELnoaE- nERENDonE, GERMANY, A CORPORATION or GERMANY EUsE SETTING V MACHINE Application filed July 15, 1929, Serial No. 378,377, and in Germany August 29, 1927.

Our invention has for its object a fuse setting machine which possesses two setting bodles adaptedto be displacedindependently of one another, one of them being intended to be coupled with the setting ring of the fuse, while the'other is adapted to be coupled with the part rigid on the projectile, of the fuse, the mutual position of these two bodies the instant the coupling takes place, after a projectile has been introduced, determining the amount of displacement effected by the maohine, of 'thelsetting ring of the fuse and therewith the position of the bursting point of the projectile after the shot has gone off.

Toset on the setting machine the position of the bursting point, of the fuse hitherto the onesetting body is turned manually relatively-to the other by a special setting gear, the

amplitude of this angular displacement being read off on an indicating device. Therefore, to set the fuse a transfer of the respective or- :der was required from the man who is observ-,

ing the aim to the man operating the setting machine according to the orders given to him.

"This man had to set the one setting body by hand and to report back to the observer the executed setting operation. In these'operations setting errors could not be excluded and, when the projectiles are to be set for rapid tire on quickly moving aims, the setting operation consumes too much time, so thatthe position of the bursting points'can not be varied inthe desired manner.

' According to our invention the mutual adustment of the setting bodies of themachine to determine the position of the bursting point of the projectile is eifected by the driving member of the one setting body being temporarily coupled with and driven by a permanently rotating driving engine from a place remote from the setting machine through the intermediary of a long distance controlling Y apparatus. The controlling mechanism serving to act upon the setting machine placed beside the gun is operated by the man who is observing the aim and who is' stationed at a suitable remote point, the

"adjustments of the machine as to the amplitude and direction of rotation being continuousl-y reportedfrom the machine to theobserver by means of suitable reporting apparatus.

In this manner the mediator hitherto required between the observing station and the setting machine is eliminated and therewith also the source of errors resulting therefrom. It is merely necessary to. put, at the gun, the projectiles into the setting cups of the setting machine which alwayshas imparted to it the, correct adjustment, whereupon setting of the fuses takes place automatically in the known manner.

In order that our invention can be more readily understood, an embodiment of along distance controlled fuse setting machine is illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the whole apparatus,comprising three groups of and group C the relay inserted therebetween,

Figures 2 and 3 are fragmentary sections throughithe setting body locking device of the setting machine, I

Figure etillustrates the reporting mechanism of the setting machine, with; the diagram of the wires leading to the controlling apparatus B and relay (J, reference having been made for sake of simplification to'the illustration of Figure 1 of the relay.

The driving machine serving to actuate the setting machine is for example an electric motor a which constantly runs during the time thegun is firing and turns a shaft a through the intermediary of a worm gearing a a and spur wheel gearing a a It is shaft a from which is derived temporarily if required the turning motion of the upper setting body 6 of the machine, to set the position of the burstingpoints, by means of the long distancecontrolling apparatus described hereinafter. ,The lower s-ettingbody 0 intended to displace the setting ring 0 of the fuse of projectile (Z is coupled in known manner with a pinion 0' upon a projectile being introduced in the cup of the machine, and is then driven from motor 41 through the gear train 0 c 0 0 0 a a o The setting body I) which is controlled by it a notch disk 1.

The alternative engagement and disengagement of the couplings 70 and k is effected by alternatively exciting working solenoids m and m the iron cores of which by angle levers. m and m; are connected to shiftable sleeves m. and wa mounted on an actuating shaft m which is shiftable to the left against theaction of a spring f. By means of levers m and m the sleeves m4 and m control the clutches 7a, and According to whether the one. or the other of the solenoids m m is excited, the forward or backward clutch [t or [s is engaged and the notch disk 1" and the setting body 6 turned in the one or other direction. The actuating shaft m which can only be shifted but not turned, carries on its right-hand end a lever h extending radially relatively to the notch disk 1 and having a T-shaped guiding groove h engaged by the head T of a bolt 13, see Figures 2 and 3, this bolt engaging a spiral groove of disk 1 and during rotation of the latter being moved by the spiral groove r from the periphery toward the center of disk 1 or inversely when disk 1" revolves in opposite direction. To secure a position normal to disk r, of bolt 73 the latter is guided by a cross head 1 which in its turn slides on parallel cross head guides r mounted on the frame of the mechanism. On the ground of the spiral groove 7 of disk r are provided at equal or. unequal distances rest bores r engaged and disengaged by bolt r according to whether shaft m is shifted to the right or left.

When one of the two working solenoids m m is excited, first shaft m; is shifted so far to the left against the action of its spring, previous to one of the couplings, k or 70 being engage-d, that bolt 73 does not engage any of the bores 9' of the spiral, groove of disk 7. Keysf 23 provided on the angle levers m m permit of the actuating shaft wa being shifted in the same way by hand independently of the solenoids m 277.

In the event the power drive of the lower setting body 0 through shaft a fails to act, this body can be turned manually by crank 19 and crank shaft 29 The gears 0 and a. are loose on their shafts p and 79 Under the action of springs f and f clutches 2):, 29 which are splined on the shafts p and 79. respectively, so engage the gears 0 and a that they become operative only whendriren from their shafts in one direction. V]ith Z9 b The gears 6 and 6 are the drive effected by the motor on thus the coupling 2 resiliently slides on shaft past the clutch teeth of the revolving gear c and shaft p and hand crank 19 remain at rest. Inversely, a rotation by the hand crank 19, of shaft 79 is of no influence upon the motor a when it is at rest.

The excitation of/thc working magnets m m to couple and uncouple the notch disk 7* and to throw in and out the driving gear for the setting body 6 in one or other direct-ion is established by electric long distance transmission by means of the controlling apparatus B through a double relay C.

' The controlling apparatus B possesses two keys 8, 8 serving to close the circuit for the forward and backward motion of the setting body 6, by the alternative depression of which keys a primary circuit P+ P is closed which includes two magnets R R connected in parallel in the double relay C, whereby one of the two magnets is excited. By this excitation a secondary strong circuit S-l- S- is closed which includes the working solenoids m m connected in parallel, and the contacts M or in, whereby one of the working magnets m or m is excited. hen this takes place, the actuating shaft m is shifted to the left against the action of spring f, bolt 71 is withdrawn fromthe respective bore T of disk 7" and either the forward or the backward clutch 2 or Z3 is engaged and the rotation of disk 1 and setting body 6 in the one or other direction is initiated. The relay magnets R R are connected with breaking contacts 21/ M and so inserted inthe primary circuit P P- that when one of them is excited, the supply of current to the other magnet is interrupted automatically. Consequently only one of the two relay magnets can be excited when both keys 9, 8 are de pressed unintentionally, and only one of the closing contacts a in can beclosed in the secondary circuit S+, S so that also only one of the working solenoids m m can be excited. By depressing key 8 or key 5 the man who is observing the aim is enabled to turn, forwardly or backwardl'y the setting body 7) of the fusesetting machine at the gun. By releasi'ng the two keys 8, the primary and secondary circuit is broken and spring f shifts the actuating shaft m to the right. The setting body is thereby disengaged, from shaft a which revolves constantly and the notch disk and therewith the setting body are stopped.

The amplitude of motion of disk r, that is the number of the. notches r running past bolt r while it is out of engagement, constitutes the measure of the entire turning motion of setting body 6, the distances existing between the notches 77; being fractions of angular degrees of this motion. The notches r therefore are utilized toindicate in the controlling apparatus B the turning motion of disk 1" and body 6, that is to report back these motions. To this end a circuit breaker is provided, which is actuated by the notches a. and arranged on the cross head 1",; of bolt 13, see Figure 4. This breaker is adapted by jumping from notch to notch to open and close a circuit which is parallel to the primary circuit P+ P- and includes an electro-magnetic ratchet gear arranged in connection with the commanding apparatus B. By the current impulses provoked by thus closing and opening action the ratchet gear turns a graduated measuring dial w which in co-operation with a fixed mark @0 indicates the angular motion of disk 1" and setting body Z).

The circuit breaker provided on disk 1 may consist of two pawls w, 0 swingingly and longitudinally shiftably mounted on the cross head 1' by pins t and adapted to enter the rest holes r The ends engaging the holes 7' of the pawls w, 'w are sloped in such a manner that'upon the notches r passing past them, according to the direction of disk 7,

alwaysonly one of the pawls, for example,

pawl w is shifted to and fro on its pin 2% normally to disk 7", while the other pawl,

' 'w, is swung about its pin t.

Contact levers e0 'w respectively, abut on the pawls w, 10 under the action of springs f The contact lever belonging to the pawl which just is only shifted remains at rest, whilst the contact lever of the pawl that just is swung takes part in this swing motion, whereby upon rotation of disk 1 always one of the two breaking contacts 10 for example, contact 'w is repeatedly opened and closed, whilst the other breaking contact 10 constantly remains opened. This results in the parallel circuit repeatedly being opened and closed, so that according to the direction of rotationof disk rthe one or other magnet 10 an; of the electro-magnetic ratchet gear of the controlling apparatus B will receive current impulses. By these impulses a ratchet lever w arranged above the magnets 'w w and carrying a pawl 11: is set in rocking motion in known manner and a ratchet disk w turned stepwise, the rotation of which is transmitted to the dial @0 by the gear @0 The rotation of dial 10 relatively to the fixed mark w then indicates the direction of rotation'and the amount of the actual rotation-of the setting body 6.

The circuit breaker, Figure 4, further serves to effect the entrance of bolt 13 in the notches 9",, in the event the. primary circuitnoids m m become inoperative and the rotation of disk 1* is stopped, the bolt 13' would not enter a notch and body 6 would remain unlocked. To avoid this, current is supplied further to the relay magnets R or R by another circuit even after the primary circuit P+ P has been opened by releasing tion to enter 'a notch whereby disk r and setting body 6 are locked.

To set the body I) the described apparatus operates in the following manner: By depressinggfor example key 8 of the control appartus the primary circuit P+ P- illustrated by dotted lines is closed and the relay magnet R closed. Its iron core is drawn into the exciting winding whereby the circuit leading to the other relay magnet 1' is interrupted by the contact a which was closed, now being opened. This latter magnet therefore is unableto beexcited even whenthe other key 8 is depressed. .Furthermorc by contact being closed the parallel auxiliary circuit illustrated in dot and dash lines, of'the relay magnet R is closed through the breaker u w and, finally, the secondary circuit 3+ 8- shown in full lines is closedby contact u being closed, and the working solenoid m is excited. The latter attracts its core and by means of angle lever m shifts shaft 7m with bolt 13 to the left, spring f being tensioned. The disk 1" is released by bolt 71 and clutch k is thrown in by means of lever 071 Consequently the constantly revolving shaft a through the gears 6 ,6 5 turns disk 1* and further through the bevel wheels 5 b and gear wheels 6 b also the setting body I) as long as the observer depresses key 8. As long as disk 1 1s revolvlng, the circuit breaker, Figure 4, will close and open the circuit, connected in parallel to the primary circuit P+ P- and illustrated by dot and dash lines with small circles, which circuit includes the ratchet gear of the controlling apparatus, by the left-hand pawl w, bridge 'w and contact 10 so that the gear 10 10 10 20 lo turns the dlal w relatively to the mark @0 and thereby reports backto the observer the rotary displacement of setting body 12. When thedesired rotary displacement appears on dial @012, the observer releases key 8 and the rotation of body 6 is automatically stopped by bolt 13 entering that notch T of disk 7 which is the next one the instant the circuit is broken. When the motion of setting body 5 should take place in opposite direction, the observer depresses key-"s whereby an analogous operation takes place through 'the other means'provided for this inverse motion. then the long'dista'nce transmission :leading from the controlling apparatus B fails to act, disk '2 and thereby set-ting body 6 can be controlled :by the keys t and f ,'the rotary displacement of body Z) then being read oft on :a dial '0 which is provided'on the setting machine in direct connection with the members driving setting body 7)..

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ;is.:'

1. A fuse settingamachine including-a projectile receiving head, a fuse ring'gripping device revoluble with respect to said head,'a constantly revolving motor, means temporarily to connect the motor operatively with the fuse gripping device to :revolve the latter, and a remote-control for said means.

2. A *fuse settingm achine includinga projectile receiving :head, a fuse ring gripping =device revoluble with respect to said head, a

constantly revolving motor, means temporarily to connect the motor operatively with the fuse gripping device to revolve the latter, a remote control for said means, and a locking deviceoperatively connected to said means to :lock the fuse ring gripping device in set posit-ion.

-3. A fuse setting machine including aprog'ectile receiving head, a fuse ring gripping device revoluble with respect to said head,.a

constantly revolving anotor, means t-empora-rily toconnect the motor operatively with the fuse gripping device to revolve the latter, a remote control for said means,.a disk revolving with thegripping-device and provided with spaced. :notches, and Ya bolt controlled by saidmeans-and movable to engage said notches selectively.

at. A fuse setting machine 'includinga .projectile receiving head, a- Yfuse ringgripping device revoluble with respect to-said head, a constantly revolving motor, a gear train including a clutch and operatively connecting the motor and gripping device to rotate :the

latter'upon closing of the clutch,electro-magnetic means for closing said clutch and 1ncluding a normally open circuit, and a re mote control for closing said circuit.

A fuse setting machine including-a projectile receiving head, a fuse ring gripping device revoluble with respectrto said head, a

' ccmstantly revolving motor, :a pair of gear ztrai'ns each including a clutch and operatively connecting the 'motor and gripping device in one direction and another upon selective closing of the clutches, a pair of electromagnetic means for selectively closing said clutches,and a remote control for-said electro-m'a'gnetic means.

6. A fuse settin machine including a projectile receiving head, :a fuse Jring gripping device :revoluble with respect to said head, .a

constantly revolving motor, a pair of. gear trains each including a clutch'a-nd operatively connecting the motor and gripping levice in one direction and another upon selective closing ofthe clutches, a pair of electro-magneticmeans for selectively closing said clutches, and a remote control for said electro-magnetic means and including a pair of relays each arranged to close a circuit through a res )ective electro-ma nctic means and 0 )GII,

a circuit through the other electro-magnetic means.

7. A fuse setting machlne includmga projectile receiving head, a fuse ring gripping device revoluble with respect to said head, a.

constantly revolving motor, means temporarily'to connectthe motor operatively with the fuse grippingdevice to revolve the latter, a remote control for said means, a fuse setting indicator adjacent said remote control, and an operative connection be ween said indicator and gripping device. 8. A fuse setting machine includin ra projectile receiving head, a fuse ring gripping device revoluble with respect to said head,:a constantly revolving motor, means temporarily to connect the motor operatively with the fuse gripping device to revolve the lat ter, a remote control for said means, a locking device operatively connected to said" revolving with the gripping device and provided with spaced notches, and a bolt controlled by said means and movable to engage said notches selectively, a fuse setting indicator adjacent said remote control, and electro-magnetic means operated by rotation of said disk and operating the indicator inunison therewith.

10. Afuse setting machine including a projectile receiving-head, a fuse ring grhpping device revoluble with respect-to said head, a constantly revolving motor, a gear train in eluding av clutch and operatively connecting the motor and gripping device to rotate the latter upon closing of the clutch, electro-magnetic means for closing said clutch and including a normally open circuit, aremote control for closing said circuit, a disk revolving with the gripping device and provided with spaced notches, and a bolt operatively controlled by said clutch and movable to engage said notches selectively according to the position of the disk.

11. A fuse setting machine including a projectile receiving head, a fuse ring gripping device revoluble with respect to said head, a constantly revolving motor, a gear train including a clutch and operatively connecting the motor and gripping device to rotate the latter upon closing of the clutch,

relectro-lnagnetic means for closing said clutch and including a normally open circuit, a remote control for closing said circuit, a

disk revolving with the gripping device and provided with spaced notches, a bolt operatively controlled by said clutch and movable to engage said notches selectively according to the position ofthe disk, and means to maintain the circuit closed after operation of the remote control during the passage of the notch adjacent the bolt into alinement therewith.

In testimony whereof we have afiixed our signatures.

HERMANN SCHULER. ANTON GIETMANN. 

